Prep baseball/softball: Petoskey baseball in regionals for first time since 2004

A very familiar foe awaits the Petoskey High School baseball team as it makes its first foray into regional play since 2004.

Then, if the Northmen win, they very likely will see one of the state's top programs.

Petoskey, 23-6-2, opens Saturday's Division II regional at Gaylord High School against Big North Conference foe Cadillac, 25-13-1. Pinconning, 30-5 and ranked fourth in the state coaches poll, meets Howard City Tri-County, 23-11, in the 10 a.m. semifinal. The Northmen and Vikings are scheduled for a noon start. The final is slated for 2 p.m.

Petoskey swept Cadillac, 19-0 and 6-1, in a league doubleheader on May 19.

"We've been talking this week about winning the first inning of the first game and that's been our focus entirely," second-year Petoskey coach Shawn Racignol said. "As coaches we have a pretty good plan of attack for Cadillac. Any time you go into a weekend you've got to be prepared to play any number of teams."

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The Northmen are very likely to face Cadillac's Jake Ball, a 6-foot-3 righthander, the Viking who was on the mound for Petoskey's 6-1 win three weeks ago.

"They baffled us for four innings down there this year, and we have to have a solid approach at the plate to beat him," Racignol said. "He's their No. 1. pitcher and we're going to have to play well to beat him."

Racignol said he hasn't decided whether lefthander Hunter Keiswetter or righthander Kevin Thompson will pitch against the Vikings.

If the Northmen beat Cadillac — "We're not good enough to overlook anybody," Racignol said. — they could see Pinconning in the final.

The Spartans are seeking their fourth regional championship since 2005.

"They had a really nice group of juniors last year who are seniors now," Racignol said. "They have a foundation there for baseball; they don't have other spring sports that take athletes away from the baseball program. You've got to tip your cap to a community like that that rallies around baseball and year after year commits itself to putting out a quality product. They don't have down years.

"I hope we get an opportunity to play them and if we do, we're going to try to give them our best game and see what happens. I think we have a pretty nice team too."

Division III

It’s no secret the longer you go in the tournament, the tougher the competition gets.

Such is the case for the Charlevoix softball team, as they’ll face the defending Division III state champion Gladstone Braves in a regional semifinal game at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 12, in Mancelona.

The Rayders, 22-10-1, claimed a second-straight district title last weekend, while Gladstone is 30-4 and ranked No. 5 in the Division III state coaches poll.

The Braves, who’ve won nine straight district crowns, are led by a pair of dominating pitchers in Hilary Austin and Mackenzie Shepeck, who both threw no-hitters last weekend.

“They’re (Gladstone) a solid team, they’re fast on the bases, they can hit, bunt and they have a great pitching and catching staff,” Charlevoix coach Liz Grunch said. “But softball is a game where if you play fundamentally sound, you can compete.

“Our goal is to do our best,” added Grunch. “We’re kind of coming in as the underdog, but anything can happen.”

Charlevoix, who topped league rival East Jordan in a district semifinal behind a Maddie Zimmerman home run and then defeated Mancelona in the district final, are led by the battery of junior pitcher Hannah Hybl and freshman catcher Katie Hybl. Sophomore infielder Kristen Mielke is also among the Rayders’ top hitters.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to play in regionals again,” Grunch said. “Being there last year, the pressure is kind of off because the girls know what to expect. It’s just another game.”

In the other regional semifinal, Kalkaska will face Tawas at noon. The regional final is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Division IV

They’ve already beaten them twice this season, and they’re hoping for a third.

The Harbor Light Christian baseball team will face Rudyard in a Division IV regional semifinal game at noon Saturday, June 12, at Pioneer Park in Pellston.

The Swordsmen, 24-5, are fresh off a fifth straight district title, while Rudyard, 24-5 and ranked No. 9 in the state coaches poll, has won eight of the past nine district titles.

“We’re hoping for a good day, both weather-wise and on the field,” Harbor Light coach Tom DeKorte said. “The guys are ready to go and we’re excited for it.”

The Swordsmen will send junior Collin Hewitt to the mound against the Bulldogs, who feature a pair of solid pitchers in Arik Hesselink and Brett VanSloten.

“We’ve seen them a couple of times already this year and we played good against them,” DeKorte said. “It should be a good one and hopefully, we’ll get to the second game.”